James M Bush

PHOENIX – James Morton Bush passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2023 at the age of 100. He was born to Guy and Dora Bush on September 30, 1922 in Tucson, Arizona. Jim was raised in Tucson, attended Miles Elementary School, Mansfield Jr. High, and Tucson High. He received his Bachelor and Law degrees from the University of Arizona.

Upon entering the University of Arizona in the fall of 1940 he was enrolled in ROTC, and became part of the Calvary. Jim began riding horses bareback in the desert as a young boy and would remain a lifetime horseman. He entered the Army in 1943, then transferred to the Air Force. In 1947 when Jim returned to the University of Arizona to complete his degrees, he met and fell in love with Jean Hargrove and they were married in 1948. He served in the Air Force flying B-25 bombers and as a special agent in the OSI, including 2 ½ years in the Far East. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1953, returned to Phoenix and joined the law firm of Evans Kitchell and Jenckes. In 1989 he became a member of the Fennemore Craig law firm.

Jim had extensive experience in legislative and government affairs, including the areas of taxation, mining, water, labor, health care, banking, franchising, petroleum, and environmental matters. He received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the U of A Alumni Association, was President of the University of Arizona Law College Association, Outstanding Graduate Award University of Arizona College of Law 1986, served as a Uniform Law Commissioner for 50 years and as the ULC president from 1975-1977, and past President of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce. Jim was particularly proud of having served for five years on the Madison District School Board as President, being a member of the Arizona Groundwater Management Study and helping to draft the Arizona Ground Water Act, and advocating for the Arizona Mental Health Task force and securing funding to build a new hospital.

Jim enjoyed fishing, the beach, golf, gardening, the Big Band music of the forties and dancing with his wife, reading, riding horses, cowboy art, and cowboy boots and hats. You could always spot Jim with his cowboy hat and boots on, and usually a leather vest and a turquoise bola tie. Jim loved Arizona and the University of Arizona. He was a loyal supporter and fan of the Wildcats. Bear Down!

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Jean, and his son, John. He is survived by his son, Steve Bush (Jana) and his daughter, Susan Kennedy (Bill), as well as five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church at 1PM on May 13, 2023.

A L Moore – Grimshaw Mortuaries, diginitymemorial.com for additional information.